If Not Higher

- I.L. Peretz
(Four levels of interacting with texts)

1)  Literal Comprehension:

 Early every Friday morning, at the time of penitential prayer, the Rabbi of Nemirov discappered. He wasn't found at home too. People thought, he went to the heaven at that time. But a Litvak didn't believe it. He decided to find the truth. He secretly went to the Rabbi's room and watched every activity of the Rabbi during the night before fore Friday. In the next morning, the Rabbi left the home as a peasent aut of the city. Litvak secretly follow him. In the forest, he chopech a tree and made a bundle of sticks. He come back to the city with the bundle of sticks and sold it to a sick Jewish woman on credit. He also helped to brun the fire. while burning fire, he recited different portions and penitential prayers. Litvak was impressed by the Rabbi's action and become his disciple.

2)  Interpretation:

This story tells us that the heaven is there where one finds pleasure of helping poor, sick and old person. The true spirit of religion is to help others. It isn't only limited to going to Temples and Churches and worship or pray Gods and Goddesses. One can please God by helping the helpless ones.

3)  Critical Thinking:

This religious story raises some doubts in my mind. In the story, it is said that a religious leader goes to help a sick and old woman at the time of prayer. Can we really find such person in this materialistic world?
It also talks about the heaven high in the sky. Is there really heaven? Next, It says one can get heavenly pleasure by serving others or by sacrificing one's pleasures. For other can we really apply it in our lives?

4)  Assimilation:

This story has impressed me a lot and has also taught a good lesson. Before reading this story, I used to think only about the heaven where one can go after his/her death. But now, I know that the heaven is also here in Earth. I have a great desire now to the serve the humanity and reach the heaven like Rabbi.

 Summary of if not higher 

The story “If Not Higher” is written by I. L. Peretz. The story gives the message that selfless service is the path that leads someone to heavenly glory. The person who is dedicated to social service achieves heavenly glory on the earth.

The Rabbi of Nemirov would vanish in the previous night of Penitential prayers, people had the strong belief that he ascends to heaven for welfare of the people. But once, a Litvak came there and laughed at them. Pointing out the story from Gemraha, he mocks at them and said that Moses was suspended two and half feet below the heaven.

Then, the Livtak decided to test the rabbi, and secretly entered into the room of rabbi. Hiding under the bed, he remained awake throughout the whole night. At dawn, next morning, the rabbi woke up realizing the sorrow of people in Israel. Then, the rabbi disguised himself as a simple peasant. Entering into the room, the rabbi took the axe and a bundle of rope. When the rabbi got out of the house, the Litvak followed him. The rabbi, passed by the village checked every house and headed towards the jungle, cut the firewood, and returned back to the village. He stopped in front of an old hut where a lonely old woman was living. The rabbi sold the firewood for six cents. But the woman was so weak that she wasn’t able to put the fire on. So, the rabbi helped her to burn the fire. When he put the firewood in the oven, he recited the first portion of the penitential prayer. When the fire was in flame, he recited the second portion of the penitential prayers, and recited the third portion of the penitential prayer when he set the fire.

 After observing all the events, the Litvak become the disciple of the rabbi.